Railway-switch.



PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905.

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iprinciple of the invention.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 8, 1905.

Application filed December 2, 1904. Serial No. 235,260.

lo all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. LEMMoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford Springs, in the county of-Oampbell and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway- Switches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying' drawings.

This invention relates to railway-switches, and is embodied in the construction and arrangement ot' parts presently to be described, and defined in the claims.

The present invention relates more particularly to an improvement in that class or type of switch-actuating mechanism illustrated in my United States Letters Patent No. 770,686, dated September 20, 1904:. The construction shown in the said patent embodies mechanism wherebyT during the usual or regular manipulation of the switch the same can be actuated as etfectually and with the same degree ot' precision that a switch having a single-piece switch-rod can be actuated and at the same time having provisions for automatically throwing the switch if the saine has been left open by accident. In the said patent I have described a mechanism whereby a spring is held under tension normally by a trip or latch, and the said latch is designed to be thrown by a passing train so as to close the switch.

My present invention is designed more particularly as an improvement on the means for maintaining the continuity of the switch-rod and a trip connection of simple construction which is actuated by a passing train to close the switch should the same be accidentally or carelessly left open.

In the accom panying drawings the construction shown is designed, primarily, for the purposes of this specification, and it is to be understood that various changes and modiiications can be made without departing from the Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of track, showing the device in operative position. Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal section of the spring-carrying part of the switch-rod. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the trip; and Fig. I is adetail View of the tripping mechanism, showing parts after actuation. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

A designates the main track, and B the siding.

O designates a switch-stand of an approved construction. The switch-points b b' are, as is usual, connected by the bar D, which bar D is connected with the switch-stand and its lever mechanism by the switch-rod E. The rod is conveniently formed of two parts or sections E' E2, the former being connected with the bar D and the latter with the switch-stand. The end of the bar E2 has a cylindrical extension or housing F, formed interiorly with a fixed shoulder F', having a central aperture or opening. The end of the solid bar E' extends into the cylindrical portion of the section E2 and passes through the abutment or shoulderF. Surroundingand rigidlysecured to the section E' is a collar or abutment c', and between this abutment and collar and the shoulder F' is interposed a relatively strong spring G. The inner end of the section E is provided with a spring H, having one end tixedly secured to the bar by being inserted in a suitable recess, either riveted or in any other way secured. The opposite free end of the spring H has a bent-in portion t, entering a recess in the end of the section E', so that the spring H while normally projecting upward is permitted to move inward, thereby passing through the opening in the abutment or shoulder F'. I have shown an additional. springH', which is secured to the inner walls ofthe cylinder F and-has its opposite free end bent at an angle to engage a notch L' in the end of the'section E'. The springH and the notch /L' are so positioned that when the section E is thrown outward the spring H' will engage the notch, while the end of the spring H will engage in back of the shoulder F', and thereby instantly lock tlie bar or section E' against rebound or backward movement after the same has been thrown by the spring G. Located at the side of the main track a distance from the switch is a tripping-lever J, which is of bow-shaped formation, with its free end directed toward the switch. The opposite end of this curved tripping-lever J is connected to the cross or transverse shaft j, mounted in a suitable stationary bearingbox J', secured on the sleeper or other convenient supporting-block at the side of the track, so that the tripping-lever J can be moved up and down. The end of the shaft] is turned down at substantially right angles to that of the curved lever J and has connected thereto an actuating rod or bar K, extending to the switch mechanism.

Mounted on the cylindrical portion or part of the section E2 of the switch-rod is a sliding catch L, having its end projecting through the opening Z in the cylinder and positioned so that the end thereof will project in front of the sleeve or fixed collar d on the section E of the rod after the rod has been fully inserted, as shown in Fig. 2. This catch L is supported and secured in place on the cylinder by a relatively heavy spring member L', which in turn is bolted or secured in any other manner to the cylinder', its free end being bolted to the projection Z on the catch L. The outer end of the catch L is somewhat enlarged and is provided with a curved camway or slot L2, extending at an angle and terminating at its inner end in a relatively straight part Z2, lying substantially parallel with the switch-rod. The end of the bar or rod K is hooked or loosely secured in the cam-slot or inclined guideway L2 of the eX- tended part of the catch.

The catch and cylindrical portion of the switch-rod are conveniently located between two ties or sleepers, as shown in Fig. 5, and a suitable metallic protecting-covering M is placed thereover.

In operation, the parts being adjusted, as shown in Fig. 2, with the spring Gr compressed and the catch L projected by the spring L in front of the shoulder e of the section E, the end ot' the rod K being at the outer end of the inclination L2, the operator can by actuating the levers ot' the switchstand move the switch-points backward and forward with the same degree oi' accuracy as though the switch-rod E were a continuous rod. When the parts are so adjusted, the end of the part E' abuts the end of the cylinder, thereby preventing any yielding or independent movement oi' the two sections of the rod and as the operator opens the switch to the siding, the movement being in the direction to the right of Fig. 2, carries the end of the rod K up in the inclined way L2 into the seat Z2, and by this movement the curved tripping-arm J is elevated suiiciently to be engaged bya set projection on the locomotive. rIhe inclination or groove of the trippinglever J issuch that when the projection on the locomotive strikes the same it will be gradually depressed, and in so depressing the catch or latch L will be drawn out from the cylinder, permitting' the springGto force the section E of the switch-rod outward and close the switch. As soon as the switch is closed it is locked against opening, and when itis desired to reopen the parts it is only necessary to thrust an implement through openings, as f', in the cylinder for disengaging the springs H and H. v`

Of course it is to be understood that other means can be employed in securing the section E against rebound or subsequent movement, and itis also to be understood that the cam or inclination feature employed for withdrawing the catch L can be varied in many respects and that other lever mechanism can be employed for accomplishing the result. That particular structure, however, is advantageous for simplicity.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new. and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. Inarailway-switch,thecombination with switch -points, of actuating mechanism for moving the points comprising a continuous sectional rod having its parts arranged to be fixed normally against independent longitudinal movement, a tripping device provided with means actuated by a passing train, a springactuated catch for releasing the rod-sections against independent movement, a connection between the catch and tripping device for releasing the catch, and means interposed between the sections of the rod released yupon the movement of the spring-actu ated catch for separating the rod-sections.

2. In a railway-switch,the combination with a divided switch-rod, a coupling between the divisions thereof permitting an independent movement, a spring in the coupling, a springactuated vcatch for preventing independent' 3. In a railway-s witch,the combination with astand and switch-points, ofasectional switchrod having its parts'movable relative to each other, a spring interposed between the see` tions of the rod, a catch for retaining the sections in position against independent movement,means for operating thecatch, and means for preventing the rebound of the sections after the same have been released.

4. In a railway-switch, the combination with points and a switch-stand` of a sectional rod, a spring for normally moving the sections in vopposite directions, means for normally pr'eventing movement of the sections by the spring', a tripping mechanism Jfor releasing the sections upon the passage of a train, and means for preventing the rebound of a section after the same has been released.

5. In a switch the combination with a sectional rod, a spring interposed between the sections, a spring-actuated catch for retaining the sections against independent movement in either direction, a tripping-lever adapted to be struck by a passing' train, and a movable connection between said tripping-lever and the retaining-catch of the section Jfor releasing the said catch.

6. In a switch the combination with a sectional rod, and a spring normally tending to move the sections apart, of a catch for preventing the independent movement of the sections, an inclined surface associated with the catch, and a tripping device adapted to be actuated by a passing train having engagement with the inclined surface of the catch for actuating the catch.

7. In a railway-switch, the combination with a switch-rod comprising independent sections, a spring sleeved on one section and abutting the opposite section, a spring-lock for retaining the sections normally in position against independent longitudinal movement, and a trip device adapted to be actuated bya passing train for unlocking the sections and permitting the spring to force one of the sections outward.

8. In a railway-switch, the combination with a switch-rod comprising two sections, a tubular extension on one section into which the opposite section extends, a spring within the tubular extension, an abutment on the opposite member of the rod againstwhich the spring rests, a spring-latch locking the sections against independent longitudinal movement in either direction, and means for actuating the latch to release the sections upon the presence of a moving train.

9. In a railway switch, the combination with a switch-rod, a switch-stand, and switchpoints, to which the rod is attached respectively, said rod being formed of independent sections having relative movement, means for locking the rod against independent movement comprising a spring-catch, a collar with which the catch is adapted to engage, a spring for forcing the sections apart, and meansactuated by a passing train for removing the catch.

10. In aswitch,the combination with points, and stand, of a spring-actuated extensible rod, means for locking the rod against extension, and a spring-trip actuated by a passing train for releasing the rod and permitting the same to extend.

l1. In a switch actuating mechanism, a

switch-rod comprising two sections, a tubular extension on one section, a spring contained within the extension. and sleeved on the end of the opposite section, abutments upon which the ends of the spring rest carried respectively by the sections, a sliding catch for retaining the spring under compression and preventing independent movement of the sections, and means for releasing the catch in the presence of a passing train.

12. In a switch, the combination with a sectional rod, a spring for forcing the sections apart, means actuated by a passing train for normally preventing independent movement of the sections, and a catch for preventing the rebound of a section after release.

13. In aswitch, the combination with a sectional rod having telescopic ends, of a spring interposed between the sections,` a catch for retaining the sections in position againstindependent movement with the spring under compression, an inclination on the catch having a seating portion, and a tripping-lever adapted to be struck by a passing train and having a connection with the catch engaging said inclined portion, substantially as described.

14. In a switch, the combination with a sectional rod, oi a spring interposed between the sections, means for maintainingv the springunder compression and the sections against independent movement comprising a locking member, a spring for normally holding the same in operative position, an inclined plane on the locking member, and a tripping' mechanism actuated through the inclined plane to release the lock upon the presence of a train.

In testimony whereof I aHix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

` GEORGE E. LEMMON. Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. BLAoKwELL, JOHN C. MICHIN. 

